Airline passengers entering and leaving the UK on potentially any routes, including transatlantic ones and those connecting with mainland Europe, will be expected to be show that electronic devices in their hand luggage can be powered up, British authorities announced Tuesday in a tightening of aviation security.

In response to warnings of a "credible threat", the US Transportation Security Administration announced on Sunday that passengers using airports with direct flights to the US could be made to switch on their mobile phones and other electronic devices to prove to security officials that the devices do not contain explosives.

Britain's transport department said last week that extra security measures at UK airports were not expected to cause "significant disruption" to passengers, but on Tuesday it announced that passengers on some routes to and from the UK might now be required to show electronic devices in hand luggage could be powered up. The move was being taken "in line with US advice", the department said.

While the department refused to discuss what routes could be affected, it is understood that the new security criteria would extend to all flights between Britain and other European destinations.

Travellers unable to demonstrate that devices such as laptops and phones can be powered up face not being allowed to bring the devices on to aircraft.

Announcing the measures in a written statement to parliament, the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said: "On 2 July the Department for Transport announced that some of our aviation security measures would be stepped up in response to potential threats to aviation from terrorist organisations. The House will be aware that the US government made a similar announcement on the same day regarding flights to the United States.

"As a result of the changes we are implementing some passengers may notice additional security measures on some routes, both to and from the UK. Passengers on some routes may also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage can be powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device on to the aircraft. Passengers are advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in hand luggage are charged before they travel.

"This advice is in line with that issued by the United States and we have updated our official advice to passengers accordingly. For obvious reasons we will not be commenting in detail on the measures or the routes affected. We will work with the aviation industry to minimise disruption as far as possible."

The latest airport security measure is the first to be confirmed since Jeh Johnson, the US homeland security secretary, warned last week that enhanced security checks would be implemented imminently at certain overseas airports with direct flights into the US.

"We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry," Johnson said on 2 July. "We will work to ensure these necessary steps pose as few disruptions to travellers as possible."

American officials told reporters that Johnson's move followed intelligence that al-Qaida members in Syria and Yemen could have developed bombs able to be hidden in mobile phones, the aim being to crash aircraft bound for the US.

Reuters reported last week that US officials had singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices as requiring particular attention during security checks on passengers for direct US-bound flights from Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The UK government keeps aviation security under constant review in conjunction with international partners and the aviation industry.The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained."